HIGH SCHOOL LACROSSE: Meet your unsung heroes

Every team has players who are always toiling behind the scenes to do whatever it takes to get their team a win.

These are the players who other players look to for leadership, and The Trentonian would like to salute an unsung player from each of the area teams.

Kelsi Chandonnet (Allentown) — The Redbirds made history this year by winning their first Mercer County Tournament title, and Chandonnet played a major role in that accomplishment. She is the heart and soul of the Allentown defense. Chandonnet’s poise has made her one of the leaders on and off the field.

Melanie Post (Ewing) — A first-year player, Post has brought a fierce desire to compete and great enjoyment to the Blue Devils. Post is always the first player off the bench to fill any position. She plays with a lot of heart and her effort and demeanor is admired by her coaches and teammates.

Advertisement

Stephanie Sparano (Hamilton) — A very selfless player, Sparano has been at the point for the Hornets since her freshman season. She has steadily improved and has become a vocal leader and has given her teammates great support.

Cate Douglass (Hightstown) — The complete team player, Douglass is always looking for ways to help her team. A talented player who reached 100 goals this season, she is a very unselfish player who does a great job setting up her teammates. A captain with the Rams, she has led by example.

Natalia Ochalski (Hopewell Valley) — Ochalski has stepped up this season to become one of the most explosive players in the area. Although she has the ability to score with the best of them, she is always looking to do whatever can be done to help the Bulldogs get a win.

Amanda Barbour (Hun) — Whether in the game or at practice, Barbour is always giving her all. Barbour possesses great quickness and agility that has enabled her to be a major factor in the Raiders defense. Despite being just a sophomore is quickly becoming a quiet leader at Hun.

Hanna Bettner (Lawrence) — A first-year player, Bettner immediately showed her leadership skills and earned the captain’s responsibility for the Cardinals. A tireless worker she has been a role model for the young players. Her work ethic has been matched by Bettner’s desire to continue to improve and learn the game.

Andie Jensen (Lawrenceville) — Don’t expect to hear Jensen screaming out the defensive signals.Instead, the senior prefers to let her play do the talking, and it has spoken loudly. She sets the tone for the Big Red defense and she has yet to see a ground ball that didn’t belong to her. Jensen’s overall play has been a key to the success of the Big Red throughout the field.

Sarah Gallagher (Notre Dame) — Gallagher made the move to the attack from low defense and it has been a plus for her and the Irish. Always upbeat Gallagher is one of the leaders on the Irish, both on and off the field. She is committed to her teammates and to the success of the Irish program.

Sydney Bentz (Nottingham) — As the Northstars continue to build a program Bentz is definitely one of the foundation pieces. Bentz is a player that welcomes any challenge. Her energy on and off the field permeates far beyond the midfield. Bentz has been a valuable teammate as the ‘Stars continue to grow.

Jenna Hart (Peddie) — Always a player that put the team first when the Falcons needed help on the defensive end it was hart stepping away from the attack to help out. She has been a settling factor on the Peddie back line with her consistency and dependability.

Averi Rosena (Pennington) — A captain on the Red Raiders Rosena has been a coach’s dream. The senior will play wherever needed to help her win the game. When Pennington was short she even took over in the goal and played like a veteran. A gifted athlete and a sound leader Rosena has been very effective on and off the field for Pennington.

Mira Shane (Princeton) — Now a sophomore Shane burst on the girl’s lacrosse scene as a freshman and her impact has only increased. Always a tireless worker she brings a fierce competitive spirit to the goaltending position. It seems the bigger the stage the greater the determination in Shane.

Sarah Trigg (Princeton Day) — A relative newcomer to the lacrosse cage Trigg has stepped in the position and played like a veteran. A determined athlete with a strong work ethic Trigg has become one of the premier goalies in the area. Always one to rise to the occasion Trigg has been the heart of the Panthers defense.

Courtney Stahlbrand (Robbinsville) — Stahlbrand brings a heap of desire, heart, agility and quickness to the Ravens defense. Always one to rise to the occasion Stahlbrand possesses an energetic spirit and is always working to be the best player she can be. Just a junior she is emerging as a leader for the Ravens.

Stephanie Miranda (Steinert) — A staunch defender Miranda has the confidence of her coaches and teammates when she takes the field. She cast a large shadow on the field with her play and heart. She has been a loyal, hard working player for the Spartans.

Samantha Servis (Stuart) — Few players in the area have been more dependable than Servis has for Stuart. Just a freshman she has a great sense for the game. Servis has been a staunch defender and is great in close defense situations. When afforded the chance to play on the attack she is just as impressive.

Alex Hendry (WW-P North) — Hendry missed her freshman season with a torn ACL, but she is making up for lost time in her sophomore season. She brings the same determination to the field that Hendry did in rehabbing her knee. She plays at a very high level and is a very dependable teammate.

Sloane Garelick (WW-P South) — This was another solid season at South and one of the main reasons was the play and leadership of Garelick. Not a player that needs to score she is always ready to do whatever it takes to get her team a win. A strong player in the midfield Garelick was both poised and aggressive.